Election observers from three regional organisations have asked candidates who contested various seats in the Monday poll to accept results being released by the electoral agency.
The monitors from East African Community (EAC), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) and Comesa on Tuesday said the elections went on smoothly, and were credible.
The electoral commission was transparent in the relaying of provisional results, they said.
The observers told the media at Hilton Hotel in Nairobi that they were satisfied with the manner in which the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission conducted the polls.
“We are appealing to all political players and candidates to accept the outcome of the elections,” said EAC’s Abdulrahman Kinono.
He commended the IEBC for its professional conduct, and urged those dissatisfied with the outcome to challenge it through courts.
“We urge everyone to use the provided legal channels to resolve their disputes in the event there is reason to challenge the results,” he said.
The observers also congratulated Kenyans for their peaceful conduct during the polls and called on everyone to maintain the same atmosphere during post-election period.
The regional bodies, which jointly deployed 78 observers in 40 out of the 47 counties, said the General Election met regional, continental and international standards for credibility and transparency.
They congratulated the IEBC for moving quickly to resolve minor hitches witnessed in some areas to enable the process continue as planned. The glitches involved BVR kits.
However, the observers faulted the electoral commission for the high number of spoilt votes, which they blamed on inadequate voter education.
“The electoral body seems not to have carried out adequate voter education to enlighten the electorate on these complex elections,” said Mr Simbi Mubako of Comesa.
The observers recommended an enhanced civic and voter education to increase the understanding of the electoral process. -Daily nation
